When you hear stories about increasing agricultural investment, what does this mean to you?
To me, it can mean one of many things. It could mean investing money in improving agricultural inputs such as giving farmers high-quality seeds or suitable fertilizers that will increase crop yield. It can refer to providing education on farming techniques for better irrigation or minimizing land degradation. Or it could even apply to findings ways to increase a farmer?s access to credit to purchase land.
For example, in Ghana, for $1 per month, an agricultural market platform known as Esoko sends farmers information about the latest market prices and the best time for them to sell their produce. Now, farmers can go to the markets when prices are higher and obtain 20 to 40 percent more for their produce that what they used to. Or in Malawi where the Chitsanzo Milk Bulking Group was started. This cooperative, supported by Land O?Lakes, General Mills and USAID, provides farmers with dairy cows, cooling tanks, nutritional advice and education about HIV prevention, not only increasing their annual income, but also providing them with vital information.
Why is investing in agriculture necessary?
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said, ?There is a clear understanding that, after decades of neglect, agriculture is on the global agenda?America and the rest of the developed world have an important role to play, because investments in agriculture have high returns.?
Currently, food prices are skyrocketing and as a result, smallholder farmers spend anywhere between 50 to 80 per cent of their income on food alone, leaving many faced with food insecurity. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, two-thirds of people work in agriculture, yet agriculture constitutes a mere 4 percent of government expenditure.
What can investing in agriculture do?
Investing in agriculture has the potential to impact some of the world?s poorest people. With 97 percent of agricultural workers living in developing countries, providing farmers with suitable seeds, appropriate technology, and access to markets this will mean higher quality crop yield, an increase in agricultural production, and improvements in crop storage. Furthermore, for smallholder farmers, investing in agriculture will encourage job creation, increase incomes for farmers, and keep food prices affordable, improving nutrition and food security.
We at ONE believe that investing in agriculture is paramount in ensuring long-term food security, drive economic growth, and help communities lift themselves out of poverty.
Source: http://www.one.org/blog/2011/11/04/why-is-investing-in-agriculture-necessary/
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